"That's absolutely not what's happening."
"I've already called my lawyer," Jessica continues as if I haven't spoken. "I want to modify the custody agreement. She shouldn't be around my son."
My blood runs cold. "What?"
"You heard me. I'm filing papers to restrict who can have contact with Tyler during your parenting time."
"You can't be serious."
"I've never been more serious. This has gone too far." Her voice hardens. "I wanted to let you know as a courtesy before you hear from my attorney. Maybe you should reconsider how many 'family photos' you post in the meantime."
"Jessica, wait?—"
The line goes dead. I stare at my phone, heart hammering against my ribs, a surge of hot anger rising in my throat.
"Daddy?" Tyler's voice breaks through. "Are the pancakes ready?"
I take a deep breath, forcing my face to reset before turning. "Almost, buddy. Go wash your sticky hands first."
Tyler scrambles up, racing to the bathroom. As soon as he's out of earshot, Reese stands and moves toward me, her expression a mixture of concern and resignation.
"She saw the Instagram photos," she says. It's not a question.
I nod, still gripping my phone too tightly. "She's talking about modifying the custody agreement. To keep you away from Tyler."
Reese inhales sharply, arms crossing over her chest like she's suddenly cold. "Can she do that?"
"I don't know. I don't think so." I run a hand through my hair. "But she's going to try."
"Because of the 'bonus mommy' thing? Because he hugs me?"
"Because she feels threatened." I move closer, lowering my voice further. "She thinks you're replacing her in his life."
Reese's eyes fill with hurt. "I've never tried to do that. I've been so careful?—"
"I know. This isn't about what you've actually done. It's about her fears." I rest my hands on her shoulders, feeling the tension there. "She's scared of losing her place in his life."
"What do we do?"
Before I can answer, Tyler races back into the room, hands still dripping. "All clean! Can I have pancakes?"
Reese and I exchange a look over his head. Later, it says.
We make it through breakfast, Tyler chattering about the train tracks, oblivious to the concern humming between Reese and me.
When he disappears into his room to get dressed, we start on the dishes, and Reese says, "Tell me exactly what she said."
I relay Jessica's words, watching her expression tighten with each sentence. When I finish, she's silent for a long moment.
"Maybe I should step back," she finally says, voice small. "Until things calm down. I don't want to be the reason you lose time with Tyler."
"No." The word comes out sharper than I intended. I soften my tone. "That's exactly what she wants. For you to disappear."
"But if it's better for Tyler?—"
"It's not better for Tyler to lose someone he cares about. Someone who cares about him." I take her hands in mine. "And it's not better for us."
"I don't want to fight with her, Logan. I don't want to put Tyler in the middle of this."
